The first indoor game of the season was lost, as Great Totham could not field 6 players, but the seaon finally started on Sunday 21.10.18 at Shenfield. Captain John Chadwick followed the Great Totham tradition of losing the toss, allowing the opposition to chose what we would have chosen anyway.
Great Totham bowled first, the honour of first over going to debutant, & Chairman-in-waiting, James Hay. Along with the returning James Pook the first few overs were good, restricting Upminster's batsmen. However, before too long Upminster began to find the walls & were scoring 3s to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Another debutant, Issey Croft, bowled his 3 overs well, finding a better length after a few initial short balls. Issey even tried to intimidate the batsman with a beamer. John Chadwick's bowling showed why he was 2nd team player of the season. His pace scared wicket keeper Nick Phillips, who ran to square leg for one delivery, it was so quick. Great Totham actually took some wickets at the end as Upminster tried to score quickly. Joshua Chadwick displayed amazing skill to drop a chance & drop it over the boundary for 6!! No mean feat indoors!
Chasing 130, Joshua Chadwick & Nick Phillips both batted well & both retired on 25, but the accuracy of Upminster's bowlers meant that Great Totham were behind the run rate. James Pook improved the scoring rate & also retired on 25, John Chadwick was stumped in the last over when 36 was needed. James Hay & Issey Croft were left to see the game out with Great Totham finishing just 12 runs short. This was a good start against one of the top teams in the league, all without top bowler Olly Cheeseman, who will return as soon as his finger can straighten.
